Vapor Reference Guide

Acetic Acid

Synonyms

Vinegar Acid, Ethannoic Acid, and Methanecarboxylic Acid

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by various routes. Severe eye and skin irritant. Can cause burns, lachrymation, and conjunctivitis.Human systemic effects by ingestion: changes in the esophagus, ulceration, bleeding from the small and large intestine and Mucous membrane irritant. Mutation data reported.

Benzene

Synonyms

Benzol, cyclohexatriene

Safety Profile

Acute exposure can cause central nervous system depression. Chronic exposure results in depression of hematopoietic system and is associated with the incidence of leukemia and myeloma. Aplastic anemia, thrombocythemia, bone-marrow hyperplasia and lymphoid tumors are also associated with chronic exposure.

Ethyl Alcohol

Synonyms

Ethanol, algrain, anhydrol, ethyl hydrate, ethyl hydroxide

Safety Profile

Chronic exposure to vapor may result in irritation of eyes and mucous membranes, headache, and symptoms of central nervous system depression. Chronic pulmonary edema or congestion may result. Some fetotoxicity has been observed, as well as, liver tumors and degeneration.

Halogenated Agents

Agents and Synonyms

Safety Profile

Exposure to Enflurane, Isoflurane and Desflurane can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, mouth, and throat. Overexposure can cause headaches, drowsiness, unconsciousness and death. Contact may irritate the skin, cause itching or scratching, drying or cracking. Enflurane and Isoflurane are potent respiratory depressants and can impair cardiac performance. Oral ingestion or inhalation of Halothane can cause systematic toxicity. Clinical signs include excitement initially followed later by unconsciousness and death from respiratory paralysis. Renal, cardiac and hepatoxicity have been reported.

Methyl Ethyl Ketone

Synonyms

2-Butanone, ethyl methyl ketone, methyl acetone, MEK

Safety Profile

Irritant to the eyes, mucous membranes, and skin. Can result in narcosis and bronchopneumonia. Incidence of minor skeletal variation and delay in ossification of fetal bones. May potentate substances known to cause neuropathy.

Methylene Chloride

Synonyms

Safety Profile

Confirmed carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic and tumorigenic data. Poison by intravenous route. Moderately toxic by ingestion, subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal routes. Mildly toxic by inhalation. Human systemic effects by ingestion and inhalation: parathesia, somnolence, altered sleep time, convulsions, euphoria, and change in cardiac rate. An experimental teratogen. Experimental reproductive effects. An eye and severe skin irritant. Human mutation data reported. It is flammable in the range of 12-19% in air but ignition is difficult.

Nitrous Oxide

Synonyms

N2O, Nitrous

Safety Profile

Current scientific evidence suggests that chronic exposure to low concentrations of anesthetic agents increase the risk of spontaneous abortion in female workers and congenial abnormalities in offspring of female workers and wives of male workers. Risks of hepatic and renal diseases are also increased among exposed personnel. Physiological functions may be impaired. A few studies suggest an increased risk of cancer. Effects on the central nervous system due to acute exposure of anesthetic gases have been associated with headaches, nausea, fatigue, and irritability.

Perchloroethylene

Synonyms

Tetrachloroethylene, Perc

Safety Profile

Confirmed carcinogen with experimental carcinogenic, neoplastigenic, and teratogenic data. Experimental poison by intravenous route. Moderately toxic to humans by inhalation, with the following effects: local anesthetic, conjunctiva irritation, general anesthesia, hallucinations, distorted perceptions, coma and pulmonary changes. Moderately experimentally toxic by ingestion, inhalation, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous routes. An experimental teratogen. Experimental reproductive effects. Human mutation data reported. An eye and severe skin irritant. The liquid can cause injuries to the eyes; however, with proper precautions it can be handles safely. The symptoms of acute intoxication from this material are the result of its effects upon the nervous system. Can cause dermatitis, particularly after repeated or prolonged contact with the skin. Irritates gastrointestinal tract upon ingestion.

Toluene

Synonyms

Methyl Benzene, Methacide, Toluol

Safety Profile

Poison by intraperitoneal route. Moderately toxic by intravenous, subcutaneous, and possibly other routes. Mildly toxic by inhalation. Human systemic effects by inhalation. CNS recording changes, hallucinations or distorted perceptions, motor activity changes, antipsychotic, psychophysical test changes and bone marrow changes. Experimental teratogenic and reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. A human eye irritant An experimental skin and severe eye irritant At 200-500ppm, headache, nausea, eye irritation, loss of appetite, a bad taste, lassitude, impaimlent of coordination and reaction time are reported, but are not usually accompanied by any laboratory or physical finds of significance. With higher concentrations, the above complaints are increased and in addition, anemia, leukopenia and enlarged liver may be found in rare cases. A common air contaminant.

Xylene

Synonyms

Xylol, Dimethylbenzene, Xylenen, Methyl Toluene, Xylole

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by intraperitoneal and subcutaneous route. Mildly toxic by ingestion and inhalation. Human systemic effects by inhalation: olfactory changes, conjunctiva irritation and pulmonary changes. Experimental teratogenic and reproductive effects. Mutation data reported. A human eye irritant. An experimental skin and severe eye irritant. Some temporary corneal effects are noted, as well as some conjunctival irritation by instillation (adding drops to the eye one at a time). Irritation can start at 200ppm. A very dangerous fire hazard when exposed to heat or flame.